Abstract

This investigation examines the impact the 1981 Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test Format Revision had on the stability over time of the verbal, quantitative, and analytical scores. Scores were used from the self-selected group of repeaters who took the GRE General Test twice between October 1980 and June 1982. Examinees were divided into three groups based on the test format taken. Three sets of analysis were performed: (1) analysis of difference scores and analysis of estimated true difference scores; (2) analysis of same form versus different form repeaters; and (3) analysis of predicted scores. Results for the new-format General Test show the greatest stability over time for the verbal measure and the least for the analytical measure. The large percentage of both gains and decreases on the analytical measure is primarily explained by the measure's lower reliability. Taking the same test edition twice provides the greatest expected score increase advantage for the analytical measure, and the least for the verbal measure. The psychometric characteristics with regard to score changes for the quantitative measure are between those for the verbal and analytical measures. Appendices include: (1) demographic characteristics of GRE repeaters; (2) group differences in background variables; and (3) regression equations.